CSUSM Gala Raises Record Funds

By Whitney Frasier

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Hundreds of individuals from the North San Diego and Southwest Riverside philanthropic, government and business communities gathered to celebrate another successful academic year at the California State University San Marcos annual gala on Saturday, June 18. The black tie affair, co-hosted by CSUSM President Karen Haynes and the CSUSM Foundation Board, raised a record-breaking $208,000 to support scholarships, student programming and the professional development of faculty.

During the event, attendees played casino games and donned decorative masquerade masks in coordination with the theme, “Masquerade in Monte Carlo.” A silent auction and cocktail reception was followed by a speech from President Haynes. Dinner, live auction and dancing wrapped up the elegant evening.

During her speech, President Haynes commented on the University’s intellectual, social, cultural and economic achievements over the last 26 years:

“We pride ourselves on being an institution of higher learning not just for the academically and socially elite but for anyone who has the desire and the drive to earn a higher degree,” she said. “Just last month, we graduated over 3,200 students—the largest number in campus history—and over 55 percent of them were first in their families to earn a college degree. As I congratulated them and looked out at the sea of faces in the audience . . . I couldn’t help but reflect, as I do each year, that at Cal State San Marcos we don’t just change individual lives, we change families . . . we change communities . . . and we even change generations.”

A video highlighting CSUSM students was presented at the gala, showcasing how scholarships have positively impacted first-generation students in achieving their academic dreams. Watch the video now or view and download photos on Flickr here.